Busbar Schemes

and Layout of
EHV Switchyards

By
S.Kameshwaran
 Contents

Introduction

Various Busbar Schemes

Insulation levels & Clearances

Bay Width

CT & Earth Switch Locations

Some Quotes

Live as if your were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.
- Mahatma Gandhi

Personally, I am always ready to learn, although I do not always like being

taught.
- Winston Churchil

In my life, I have never learned anything from any man who agreed with
me.
- Dudley Field Malone l

He who asks a question is a fool for five minutes; he who does not ask
a question remains a fool forever
- Chinese Proverb l
Introduction

Switchyard or Substation, as is well known, serves as an

intermediate link between the generating station and the
consumer supply point.

The substation is normally situated at load centers where the

voltages are stepped up or stepped down by means of
transformers as per the requirements.
Types of Substations

The substations are classified mainly into 5 groups

depending upon their purpose and they are

 Generating Substation
 Primary Grid Substation (400 kV, 220 kV, 110 kV)
 Secondary Substation (220 kV, 110 kV, 66 kV)
 Distribution Substation (33 kV & below)
 Bulk Supply and Industrial Substation (EHV/6.6 or 11kV)
Various Bus arrangements

1. Single Main Bus scheme

2. Single Main Bus with Sectionalizer scheme
3. Double Bus scheme
4. Main & Transfer Bus scheme
5. Double Main & Transfer bus scheme
6. One and a Half Breaker scheme
7. Mesh scheme (Ring Main Scheme)
Various Bus arrangements

What are the criteria for Selection of Bus bar arrangement ?

 Reliability
 Cost
 Space
 Operational Flexibility
 Ease of Maintenance
 Maintenance of Breaker
 Maintenance of Bus bars & Insulators
Single Bus arrangement

Single Line Diagram

I/C

O/G-1 O/G-2
Single Bus arrangement

Charged with O/G-2 Closed

I/C

O/G-1 O/G-2
Single Bus arrangement

Charged with O/G-1 Closed

I/C

O/G-1 O/G-2
Single Bus arrangement

Charged with both O/G Closed

I/C

O/G-1 O/G-2
Single Bus arrangement

Single Bus with 2 Incomers – Before Charging

1 out of 2 I/L
Single Bus arrangement

Single Bus with 2 Incomers – Charged through I/C-2

1 out of 2 I/L
Single Bus arrangement

Single Bus with 2 Incomers – Charged through I/C-1

1 out of 2 I/L
Single Bus arrangement

Merits
 Simple
 Cheapest
 Require Less space

Demerits
 Maintenance of Breaker without affecting the feeder is not
possible
 Maintenance of Bus without affecting the feeder is not possible

Comments
 Preferred for lower voltage levels up to 110 kV, rarely in 220 kV &
never in 400 kV
Single Bus with Bus Sectionaliser

Single Bus with Bus Sectionaliser – Before Charging

Single Bus with Bus Sectionaliser

Single Bus with Bus Sectionaliser – Independent

feeding
Single Bus with Bus Sectionaliser

Single Bus with Bus Sectionaliser – I/C-1 feeding entire

load
Single Bus with Bus Sectionaliser

Single Bus with Bus Sectionaliser – I/C-2 feeding entire load

Single Bus with Bus Sectionaliser

Single Bus with Bus Sectionaliser – Synchronised

Single Bus with Bus Sectionaliser

Layout
Plan Layout
Section
Single Bus with Bus Sectionaliser

Merits
 Economic
 Any outage can be confined to one section of the bus bar

Demerits
 Maintenance of Breaker without affecting the feeder is not
possible
 Maintenance of Bus without affecting the feeder is not possible

Constraints
 Full advantage of the scheme is realized by distributing the
incoming & outgoing feeders evenly on either section
 The use of Isolator for bus sectionalizing does not fulfill the
purpose. The isolators have to be operated “off circuit” and it
may present to obtain zero current across the section.
Single Main & Transfer Bus

Main Bus

Transfer Bus

TBC Bay

Bay-1 Bay-2 Bay-3 Bay-4

 Single Main & Transfer Bus

Normal operation

Main Bus

Transfer Bus

TBC Bay

Bay-1 Bay-2 Bay-3 Bay-4

 Single Main & Transfer Bus

Bay-1 CB is taken for Maintenance

Main Bus

Transfer Bus

TBC Bay

Bay-1 Bay-2 Bay-3 Bay-4

Single Main & Transfer Bus

Layout
Plan & Section
Single Main & Transfer Bus
Features
 While Main Bus is sized for entire Station Load, Transfer bus is designed to
take only one feeder load, as TBC CB can act as feeder breaker only for one
feeder & not for >1

Merits
 Provides facility to carry out breaker maintenance

Demerits
 Does not Provide facility to carry out Bus maintenance
 Only one feeder breaker can be taken for maintenance at a time

Constraints
 In order to carry out breaker maintenance, the circuit is changed over to
the Transfer bus & controlled by Bus Transfer breaker through a Trip
Transfer Switch.
 All tripping signals to be routed to TBC breaker
 Normally, applicable upto 132kV only
 Double Main Bus

Single Line Diagram

Main-1 Bus

Main-2 Bus

B/C

Bay-1 Bay-2 Bay-3 Bay-4 Bay-5

 Double Main Bus

Main Bus-1 Feeding all loads

Main-1 Bus

Main-2 Bus

B/C

Bay-1 Bay-2 Bay-3 Bay-4 Bay-5

 Double Main Bus

Double Main - Main Bus-2 Feeding all loads

Main-1 Bus

Main-2 Bus

B/C

Bay-1 Bay-2 Bay-3 Bay-4 Bay-5

 Double Main Bus

Double Main - Main Bus-1 & 2 sharing the loads

Main-1 Bus

Main-2 Bus

B/C

Bay-1 Bay-2 Bay-3 Bay-4 Bay-5

Double Main Bus

Layout
Plan & Section
Double Main Bus

Features
 Utilizes 2 identical buses, each sized for complete station load
 Load can be fed from either buses. Incomer & loads shall be grouped
based on operational considerations
 Bus coupler breaker, is invariably provided, as it enables “on load” change
over from one bus bar to the other.
 For normal operations, Bus isolators are interlocked such that the feeders
are closed on only one of the buses, except under load transfer conditions,
where both the isolators can be closed as BC feeder would have been
closed then.
 CT Switching required for proper Bus bar protection
 Normally applicable for 220 & 400 kV levels

Merits
 Provides facility to carry out Bus maintenance

Demerits
 Does not Provide facility to carry out Breaker maintenance
Double Main & Transfer Bus

Single Line Diagram

Transfer Bus

Main-1 Bus

Main-2 Bus

TBC Bay BC Bay

Bay-1 Bay-2 Bay-3 Bay-4 Bay-5

Double Main & Transfer Bus

Normal operation
Transfer Bus

Main-1 Bus

Main-2 Bus

TBC Bay BC Bay

Bay-1 Bay-2 Bay-3 Bay-4 Bay-5

Double Main & Transfer Bus
One feeder through Transfer Bus
Transfer Bus

Main-1 Bus

Main-2 Bus

TBC Bay BC Bay

Bay-1 Bay-2 Bay-3 Bay-4 Bay-5

Double Main & Transfer Bus

Layout
Plan & Section
Double Main & Transfer Bus

Features
 This is a combination of double main bus and Main & Transfer Bus
 Each Main bus is designed to cater to the complete station load,
while Transfer bus is designed to take only one feeder load, as TBC
CB can act as feeder breaker only for one feeder & not for >1
 Normally used at 220 & 400 kV levels to improve reliability &
where cost is not a concern
 CT Switching required for proper Bus bar protection

Merits
 Provides facility to carry out Bus maintenance as well as Breaker
maintenance

Demerits
 Costly
 Requires more space
1 ½ Breaker Scheme

Single Line Diagram – I Layout

Main-1 Bus

Main-2 Bus
1 ½ Breaker Scheme

1 ½ Breaker Scheme – Normal Operation

Main-1 Bus

Main-2 Bus
1 ½ Breaker Scheme

1 ½ Breaker Scheme – Bus 1 under maintenance

Main-1 Bus

Main-2 Bus
1 ½ Breaker Scheme

1 ½ Breaker Scheme – Bus 2 under maintenance

Main-1 Bus

Main-2 Bus
1 ½ Breaker Scheme

1 ½ Breaker Scheme – Bus CB under maintenance

Main-1 Bus

Main-2 Bus
1 ½ Breaker Scheme

1 ½ Breaker Scheme – Tie CB under maintenance

Main-1 Bus

Main-2 Bus
1 ½ Breaker Scheme

1½ Breaker Scheme – LILO

Main-1 Bus

Main-2 Bus
1 ½ Breaker Scheme

Substation-A

B
Substation-C

Substation-B
1 ½ Breaker Scheme

Single Line Diagram – D Layout

Main-1 Bus

Main-2 Bus
1 ½ Breaker Scheme – ‘D’ Layout

Normal operation – D Layout

Main-1 Bus

Main-2 Bus
1 ½ Breaker Scheme – ‘D’ Layout

Layout
Plan

Layout
Section
1 ½ Breaker Scheme

Features
 Three circuit breakers are used for connecting the two feeders &
hence “one and a half breaker” name for the scheme
 Used at 400 kV levels only
 Depending on availability of space I or D type is picked

Merits
 More flexible than any of the above schemes & continuity of supply
can be assured
 Interconnection of feeders in each bay can be maintained even
without energizing the main bus bars (LILO)
 Both breaker and Bus Maintenance are possible
 Avoids the need of the bus coupler

Demerits
 Expensive arrangement
Mesh scheme

Single Line Diagram

Mesh scheme

Layout Plan
Mesh scheme

Features
 Provides double feed to each circuit – opening of one breaker
under maintenance or otherwise does not affect the supply to
any circuit
 Only 220 kV Ring Main Scheme in India executed by L&T at
PPN project.

Merits
 Permits breaker maintenance without interrupting the
continuity of supply
 All sections of conductor in the station are covered by feeder
protection & vis-à-vis Distance, Differential no separate bus
protection is needed

Constraints
 Suggested only when there is a limited number of circuits are
to be connected & future extension is never envisaged
Clearances

Phase to Phase Clearance

Safety Clearances
Phase to Earth Clearance
in an Outdoor
Switchyard
Sectional Clearance

Ground Clearance
Clearances

Phase to Phase Clearance (PPC) :

Is the distance between any Live conductor of one phase to adjacent
phase

Phase to Earth Clearance (PEC):

Is the distance between any Live conductor of one phase to the
nearest ground point.

Sectional Clearance (SC):

Is the distance between one side of the Isolator to the ground point of
the nearby equipment on the opposite side of the Isolator when the
Isolator is Open.

Ground Clearance (GC):

Is the distance between the Top of Plinth to the Bottom of Insulator
support.
Clearances
Clearances
Clearances

Minimum clearance to be maintained between Phase to phase, Phase to Ground

and Sectional clearances are mentioned in different standards / practices viz.
CBIP, IS, BS etc.,

Generally, the following clearances are adopted for outdoor Switchyards

All values in mm 400 220 132 66 33 22 11

Phase to Phase 4200 2100 1300 630 320 280 230

Phase to Earth 3500 2100 1300 630 320 220 140

Sectional Clearance 6500 5000 4000 3500 3000 3000 2600

Please note that the minimum clearance different from spacing adopted.
Insulation Levels

System Voltage in kV

400 220 132 66 33 22 11

Highest System Voltage
420 245 145 72 36 24 12
(kV)
Lightning Impulse Voltage
1550 1050 650 325 170 125 75
(kV peak)
Switching Impulse Voltage
1050 NA NA NA NA NA NA
(kV peak)
Power Frequency Withstand
voltage (kV RMS)
630 460 275 140 70 50 28

Corona Extinction Voltage

320 156 105 NA NA NA NA
(kV RMS)
Bay width

Bay Width of a Switchyard depends on

 System voltage
 Type of Equipments used
Bay width

Bay width required for Switchyards of different voltage levels

All values in m A B B A Total

400 kV 6.5 7 7 6.5 27
220 kV 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 18
132 kV 3 3 3 3 12
66 kV 2 2 2 2 8
Bay width

220kV
DMT SY
with DBR
Isolator

220kV
DMT SY
with HCB
Isolator
Phase Sequence

Phase sequence shall be properly maintained across all the bays

(Incomer & Outgoings).

For an existing Switchyard, the phase sequence shall be

followed in line with the existing system.

For a new Switchyard, it is recommended to decide the phase

sequence based on the Transformer terminals.
 Consider, the largest rating transformer of the Highest
voltage level in the yard. Looking from the HV side of the
Transformer, the phase sequence shall be maintained as
RYB from Left to Right.
220kV

400kV

R Y B
CT Location

BBP BBP
‘1’ ‘2’

H J

‘Z’

G LP
Line Protection LP K L
‘H’ ‘J’

Busbar Protection LP LP
‘K’ ‘L’

Protection Overlap zone

CT Location

Teed-1
Teed-2
Metering
Distance – M2
Distance - M1

Metering
Teed-1
Teed-2

Busbar M1
Busbar M2
Metering
Teed – 2
Teed - 1
Earth Switches

Earth Switches are provided in a Switchyard to ensure safe working of men and
machinery during maintenance.

Generally, Earth Switches are provided in following locations

 On either side of the Breaker (On Isolators located next to CB)
 On Bus (at one of the Bus Isolator, generally in B/C bay)
 Line side of the Line Isolator
 Transformer side of the Transformer Isolator
 CVT side of the Bus CVT

It is important to note the location of the Earth Switch before erection to ensure
the above. Check the following
 Location of Earth Switches as in SLD
 E/S at Isolator (Male or Female contact side) with respect to moving
contact opening direction
 Fouling of Earth Switch moving contact with nearby Tower
Earth Switches

Single Line Diagram showing

Location of Earth Switches
Earth Switches

Layout Plan
showing
location of
Earth
Switches
Earth Switches

Female contact
Earth Switch

Contact opening direction

Earth Switch on Female contact side
Earth Switches

Male contact

Earth Switch
Earth Switch on Male contact side
Earthing

In a Switchyard, conditions for safety earthing design are,

Attainable Step Potential < Tolerable Step Potential

Attainable Touch Potential < Tolerable Touch Potential
Ground Grid Resistance < 1 ohm
Earthing

Exposure to Touch Voltage

Earthing

Exposure to Step Voltage

Earthing

Tolerable and Attainable Value of Step and Touch Potential

depends on,
 Soil Resistivity of Ground
 Fault Current
 Duration of Fault Current
 Soil Resistivity of Top Layer (Gravel)
 Size of Conductor
 Grid Spacing
 Number of Electrodes
The test of a good trainer is not how many questions he can ask his trainees
that they will answer readily, but how many questions he inspires them to
ask him which he finds it hard to answer”
 Learn

Practice Share

Identify where you are.

Whatever level you are in, Keep the cycle moving